250 SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS OF KASHMIR chap. 



to a more accessible spot. We accordingly lay down in 

 cover and watched the herd till 5 p.m., when we had to 

 give it up as hopeless. 



During that interval of three hours the herd be- 

 haved in the most provoking manner. Twice it 

 grazed its way almost to the top of the hill, and we 

 expected it would go over the crest, but in each case it 

 went back to where it had started from. Once it lay 

 down, and we hoped all five would go to sleep, and 

 enable us to crawl along the hollow that would have 

 taken us to the back of where they lay. But the glasses 

 showed that though lying down, each member of the 

 herd was watching a different piece of ground with the 

 most ceaseless vigilance, and any movement on our part 

 into the open was sure to be detected. So having some 

 distance to go back to our tents, we gave up the vigil at 

 five o'clock, and went home much disgusted. 



The sheep having had a regular fright, the Ladaki 

 recommended that we should give them a rest, and 

 examine the ground to the west of the tents next day. 

 So, as the distance was said to be greater than to the 

 Pogmore La, I arranged that a small 30-lb. tent and 

 my bedding and food should follow me, to allow of 

 my sleeping on the shooting ground if it should prove 

 necessary. But as it turned out, the precaution was 

 needless, for we saw no signs of Ovis ammon on the 21st, 

 though we searched a considerable area to the west and 

 south from soon after daybreak till past i p.m. The 

 ground was good enough, and much better covered with 

 vegetation than what we had been over on the two 

 preceding days. Many kyang were seen, and signs of 



